The Lions know effort alone won’t be enough when they host Lyon in Saturday’s EPCR Challenge Cup clash at Ellis Park.
The Lions are fresh off their 23-22 smash-and-grab win over the Sharks in Durban and loose forward Siba Qoma has encouraged his teammates to convert good passages of play, into decisive moments on the scoreboard.
MORE: Lions flank banned for high hit
Qoma, who has often provided impact off the bench this season, says consistency will only come once the Lions become more clinical when they have teams under pressure.
“The top one would be finishing. When you have your hand on their throat, you have to squeeze harder,” Qoma explained.
The Johannesburg side have shown they can compete physically with the best, but too often have let opponents back into contests they appeared to control.
One area where the Lions have found clarity is their kicking strategy, which Qoma believes is playing to the squad’s strengths.
“We are very good in the kicking game. We have backed it quite a lot, and we have explosive wingers who are good in the air.”
ALSO: New-look Lions to face unpredictable Lyon
Up front, the Lions pack has laid a solid platform, particularly in the collisions, something Qoma says the team takes pride in as they look to build an identity.
“I think our pack is setting the benchmark for physicality, and that’s one of the things we are priding ourselves on.”
The Lions are currently bottom of Pool 2, with just a solitary point from their two matches so far.
Photo: Johan Pretorius/Gallo Images
